Flavor additive accessory

ABSTRACT

A method of incorporating a flavor material into combination with a tobacco product is described herein. The method may include accessing a flavor delivery insert of a flavor additive accessory, associating the flavor delivery insert with at least one of the tobacco product and a package containing the tobacco product, and actively or passively releasing the flavor material from the flavor delivery insert such that the flavor material is incorporated with the tobacco product. Also described herein are flavor delivery inserts, tobacco products having flavor delivery inserts, and flavor additive accessories having flavor delivery inserts.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to flavor additive accessories intendedfor delivery of flavors for human consumption. The flavor may containingredients or components obtained or derived from plants of theNicotiana species, or intended to enhance products having ingredients orcomponents derived from such plants.

BACKGROUND

Popular “smoking” articles, such as cigarettes, have a substantiallycylindrical rod shaped structure and include a charge, roll or column ofsmokable material such as shredded tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form)surrounded by a paper wrapper thereby forming a so-called “tobacco rod.”Normally, a cigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned in anend-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a filterelement comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow circumscribed by apaper material known as “plug wrap.” Typically, the filter element isattached to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing wrappingmaterial known as “tipping paper.” A cigarette is employed by a smokerby lighting one end thereof and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker thenreceives mainstream smoke into his/her mouth by drawing on the oppositeend (e.g., the filter end) of the cigarette. Other smoking articlesinclude cigars or the burning of loose tobacco through a pipe.

Tobacco also may be enjoyed in a so-called “smokeless” form.Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products are employed byinserting some form of processed tobacco into the mouth of the user. Seefor example, the types of smokeless tobacco formulations, ingredients,and processing methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 1,376,586 toSchwartz; U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,917 to Levi; U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,756 toPittman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,993 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 4,624,269 to Story et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,599 to Tibbetts;U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,907 to Townsend; U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,352 toSprinkle, III et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,416 to White et al.; U.S. Pat.No. 6,668,839 to Williams; U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,654 to Williams; U.S.Pat. No. 6,953,040 to Atchley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,601 to Atchleyet al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,686 to Atchley et al.; US Pat. Pub. Nos.2004/0020503 to Williams; 2005/0115580 to Quinter et al.; 2005/0244521to Strickland et al.; 2006/0191548 to Strickland et al.; 2007/0062549 toHolton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186941 to Holton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186942 toStrickland et al.; 2008/0029110 to Dube et al.; 2008/0029116 to Robinsonet al.; 2008/0029117 to Mua et al.; 2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.;2008/0196730 to Engstrom et al.; 2008/0209586 to Neilsen et al.;2008/0305216 to Crawford et al.; 2009/0065013 to Essen et al.;2009/0293889 to Kumar et al.; and 2010/0291245 to Gao et al; PCT WO04/095959 to Arnarp et al. and WO 2010/132444 A2 to Atchley; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/638,394, filed Dec. 15, 2009, to Mua etal.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Many alternative smoking devices have been proposed through the years asimprovements upon, or alternatives to, smoking products that requirecombusting tobacco for use. Many of those devices purportedly have beendesigned to provide the sensations associated with cigarette, cigar orpipe smoking, but without delivering considerable quantities ofincomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from theburning of tobacco. To this end, there have been proposed numeroussmoking products, flavor generators and medicinal inhalers that utilizeelectrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt toprovide the sensations of cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking withoutburning tobacco to a significant degree. See, for example, the variousalternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heatgenerating sources set forth in the background art described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,737 toCollett et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. See also,for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol deliverydevices and electrically-powered heat generating sources referenced bybrand name and commercial source in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2015/0216232 toBless et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Additionally,various types of electrically powered aerosol and vapor delivery devicesalso have been proposed in U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2014/0096781 to Sears etal. and 2014/0283859 to Minskoff et al., as well as U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/282,768 to Sears et al., filed May 20, 2014;Ser. No. 14/286,552 to Brinkley et al., filed May 23, 2014; Ser. No.14/327,776 to Ampolini et al., filed Jul. 10, 2014; and Ser. No.14/465,167 to Worm et al., filed Aug. 21, 2014; all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

It would be desirable to provide a flavor additive accessory to becombined, in whole or in part, with one or more smoking articles,smokeless articles, and alternative smoking articles to provide orenhance a perceived flavor associated with these articles.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This disclosure provides a flavor additive accessory comprising one ormore flavor delivery inserts that may be combined with a tobacco productfor the delivery of alternative or additional flavor materials to thetobacco product. The present disclosure also includes related methodsand tobacco products.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of incorporatinga flavor material into combination with a tobacco product. The methodmay comprise accessing a flavor delivery insert of a flavor additiveaccessory, associating the flavor delivery insert with at least one ofthe tobacco product and a package containing the tobacco product, andactively or passively releasing the flavor material from the flavordelivery insert such that the flavor material is incorporated with thetobacco product. In one embodiment, the package is a carton, and thetobacco product comprises one or more cigarettes. The step ofassociating the flavor delivery insert may comprise replacing one of thecigarettes with the flavor delivery insert within the carton. In anotherembodiment, the package is a tin, and the tobacco product comprises atleast one smokeless tobacco product. In such an embodiment, the step ofassociating the flavor delivery insert may comprise inserting the flavordelivery insert into the tin. In yet other embodiments, the tobaccoproduct is a cigarette, and the step of associating the flavor deliveryinsert may comprise inserting the flavor delivery insert into a filterof the cigarette.

In some embodiments, the step of actively or passively releasing theflavor material comprises at least one of: breaking a rupturablecapsule, diffusing a volatile material, applying mouth conditions,drawing air past the flavor material and adding the flavor material toaerosol precursor. In some embodiments, accessing the flavor deliveryinsert comprises removing a first flavor delivery insert from a packet,wherein the packet contains a plurality of flavor delivery inserts. Inrelated embodiments, the first flavor delivery insert may comprise afirst flavor material and at least one of the plurality of flavordelivery inserts may comprise a second flavor material, different fromthe first.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also include tobacco products. Thetobacco product may include a package, the package at least partiallyenclosing a flavor chamber. The product may also include at least oneflavor delivery insert disposed within the flavor chamber, where theflavor delivery insert may comprise a carrier and a flavor materialincluded with and releasable from the carrier. The tobacco product mayalso include at least one tobacco article removably located within thepackage, wherein the at least one flavor delivery insert is configuredto selectively release the flavor material into combination with theconsumable tobacco article.

Embodiments of the tobacco product may include a carton as the packageand the consumable tobacco article comprising at least one cigarette. Insome embodiments the flavor material is volatile such that the flavormaterial is diffused into the package. In some embodiments, the at leastone flavor delivery insert comprises a plurality of flavor deliveryinserts and the at least one cigarette comprises a plurality ofcigarettes, and the plurality of flavor delivery inserts areindividually combinable with the plurality of cigarettes. In oneexample, the carrier is an insert for disposal in a filter of arespective cigarette. In other examples, the carrier comprises at leastone of a breakable capsule, a pellet, a filament, a fiber, paper, andcellulose. In some embodiments the package comprises a tin and thetobacco article comprises at least one smokeless tobacco product. Insome instances the package comprises a tank, and the tobacco articlecomprises e-liquid.

Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure also include flavoradditive accessories for use with a tobacco product. The flavor additiveaccessory may include a pack and a plurality of flavor delivery inserts.Each insert may comprise a carrier and a flavor material included in andreleasable from the carrier. Each flavor delivery insert is adapted fordelivery of the flavor material to a respective tobacco product bycombining the flavor delivery insert with the tobacco product or apackage containing the tobacco product. In some embodiments, the carriercomprises at least one of a filter, a breakable capsule, a pellet, aglue, a filament, a fiber, paper, and cellulose. The flavor additiveaccessory may also include instructions for combining one of theplurality of flavor delivery inserts with the tobacco product or thepackage containing the tobacco product.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparentto those skilled in the art after a reading of the following descriptionof the preferred embodiments, when considered in conjunction with thedrawings. It should be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following detailed description are explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to provide an understanding of embodiments of the invention,reference is made to the appended drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and in which reference numerals refer to components ofexemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings are exemplary only,and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flavor additive accessory according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cigarette combined with a flavordelivery insert according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another flavor additive accessoryaccording to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another flavor additive accessoryaccording to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another flavor additive accessoryaccording to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another flavor additive accessoryaccording to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter. Thisinvention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. As used in this specification and the claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Reference to “dry weight percent” or“dry weight basis” refers to weight on the basis of dry ingredients(i.e., all ingredients except water).

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a flavor additive accessory 100configured to provide flavor enhancement for a tobacco product, such asa plurality of cigarettes 102 in a carton 104. The flavor additiveaccessory 100 may be sold with, attached to, integrated within or soldseparately from the tobacco product. According to one embodiment, theflavor additive accessory 100 comprises a packet 106 formed withindividual compartments or segments 108. The packet 106 may have a sizeand shape corresponding to the approximate size of the carton 104 ofcigarettes 102 such that the flavor additive accessory 100 may beinserted into the pack or carton.

The segments 108 of the packet 106 may be distinguishable from oneanother using perforations 110, score lines or other structure tofacilitate breaking down the packet 106 into the individual segments 108thereof. Alternatively, the segments 108 of packet 106 may be visuallyidentified by indicia such as printed markings, pressed or moldedportions of the packet 106, etc. The markings may help identify theseparate segments 108 of the packet 106 even if the segments 108 areintended to remain connected with one another.

Each segment 108 may initially include a flavor delivery insert 112.Each flavor delivery insert 112 is configured for selectively providinga flavor material (also referred to as a flavoring agent) intocombination with the tobacco product, such as a cigarette 102. Eachflavor delivery insert 112 may include a carrier 114 and flavor materialcarrier by the carrier. For example, the flavor material may be within,combined with, provided on, held by, absorbed by, or impregnated intothe carrier.

Where the tobacco product is a carton 104 having cigarettes 102, theflavor delivery inserts 112 may combine the flavor material with eachcigarette individually. In one example, a user may open, or separate asegment 108 of the packet 106, retrieve the associated flavor deliveryinsert 112 and combine the flavor delivery insert with the cigarette 102(see FIG. 2). Combining the flavor delivery insert 112 with thecigarette 102 may include inserting the flavor delivery insert into thefilter 116 of the cigarette as seen in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, thefilter 116 may be provided with a channel 118 for accepting the flavordelivery insert 112. The channel 118 may be a recess, a cavity, anopening, a groove or other structure configured to accept the flavordelivery insert 112. In other embodiments, insertion of the flavordelivery insert 112 into the filter may result in permanent or resilientdeformation of at least part of the filter. The flavor material may thenbe released from the flavor delivery insert 112 into combination withthe cigarette 102 in accordance with the type of carrier 114 selected,as discussed below.

In other embodiments, the flavor material of a flavor delivery insert112 may be combined with a plurality of tobacco products simultaneously.For example, the step of at least partially opening one of the segments108 of the packet 106 may result in flavor material diffusing from theflavor delivery insert 112 into the carton 104, adding to, fortifying,or otherwise altering the flavor of the cigarettes 102 remaining in thepack. Altering the flavor of a plurality of tobacco productssimultaneously may be referred to as bulk flavoring of the tobaccoproducts. Bulk flavoring is not limited to the use of a single flavordelivery insert 112 from a single segment 108. The flavor material froma plurality of flavor delivery inserts 112 may be used at one time toselect the strength level of the flavor. For example, a stronger flavormay be obtained when using a plurality of flavor delivery inserts. Useof a plurality of flavor delivery inserts may also allow for bulkflavoring with flavor combinations. For example, the flavor materialfrom one flavor delivery insert 112 may be different from the flavormaterial of another flavor delivery insert such that the use of the twoinserts in combinations provide the tobacco products with a flavorcombination of unique flavors.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a flavor additive accessory 200. Theflavor additive accessory 200 is again sized and shaped to fit within agiven volume of a tobacco product. In the illustrated embodiment theflavor additive accessory 200 matches the approximate size of acigarette 102 to be capable of accommodation within the carton 104 afterthe removal of one cigarette. The flavor additive accessory 200 may beformed by a packet 206 or other wrapping, packaging, or substrate tohold together or otherwise represent a plurality of individualcompartments 208, also referred to as segments or portions. Eachcompartment 208 may represent a flavor delivery insert 212. Thecompartments 208 may be separated by perforations 210 or otherstructures or techniques to facilitate the separation of eachcompartment 208 from the remainder of the packet 206. Similar to theembodiment of FIG. 1, a user can selectively release a flavor materialfrom one of the flavor delivery inserts 212 while the flavor additiveaccessory 200 is within the carton 104 of cigarettes 102 to add,fortify, or modify the flavor of the cigarettes remaining within thepack. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 2, a flavor delivery insert212 or an entire compartment 208 of the packet 206 may be inserted intoa filter of a cigarette 102 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a flavor additive accessory 300. Theflavor additive accessory 300 of the illustrated embodiment alsoincludes a packet 306 containing a plurality of flavor delivery inserts312. In this embodiment, the flavor additive accessory 300 is notintended to be inserted into a pre-existing package of tobacco products,such as the carton 104 of cigarettes 102. Instead, the individual flavordelivery inserts 312 are configured to be added to the pre-existingpackage of tobacco products one at a time. Once a flavor delivery insert312 is provided within a flavor chamber 320 created within the carton104, the flavor material may be dispersed from the flavor deliveryinsert 312. This embodiment may be particularly pertinent if the flavormaterial is a volatile substance capable of diffusing from a carrier 314of the flavor delivery insert 312.

FIG. 5 presents yet another embodiment of a flavor additive accessory400. In this embodiment, the flavor additive accessory 400 includes apacket 406 and a plurality of flavor delivery inserts 412. The flavordelivery inserts 412 of the present embodiment may be configured asflavor pouches (sachet) of similar size and shape to a pouch ofsmokeless tobacco 402 commonly sold in tins 404. A flavor deliveryinsert 412 may be removed from the packet 406 and inserted into the tin404 to infuse the pouches of smokeless tobacco 402 with flavor material.Use of the pouches of smokeless tobacco 402 may be given at least a hintof flavor solely by being stored in the presence of the flavor materialgiven certain types of flavor material and carriers as discussed below.Thus the flavor material of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 may beallowed to combine with tobacco products simply by providing closeproximity and the free circulation of ambient air from the flavordelivery insert to the tobacco product.

FIG. 6 presents yet another embodiment of a flavor additive accessory500. In this embodiment, the flavor additive accessory 500 includes apacket 506 comprised of a plurality of segments 508, each segment mayhave a reservoir or carrier 514 for a flavor material. Each segment 508may be separable from the packet 506 by perforations 510 or otherstructures configured to allow the segments to be taken apart from oneanother. The carrier 514 may constitute a reservoir formed in the shapeof a dropper which can be squeezed to release the flavor material into atank 504. The tank 504 may be adapted for use with an alternativesmoking article such as an electronic cigarette where the tobaccoproduct is an e-liquid. The liquid flavor of the flavor delivery insert512 of this embodiment may be combined with alternative smoking articlesin other ways. For example, the flavor delivery insert could be acartridge attached to or for replacement of a mouth cap of ane-cigarette.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the flavor material withineach flavor delivery insert may vary such that the flavor material ofseparate flavor delivery inserts within the same flavor additiveaccessory can be different. Each flavor delivery insert or each segmentof the flavor additive accessory may be marked by indicia such as text,a symbol, or a distinctive color to identify which flavor material iswithin each segment or insert.

In one embodiment, each flavor additive accessory may have a designedflavor and strength, such as high strength menthol. Low and mediumstrength flavor delivery inserts may be available from other flavoradditive accessories. Thus, the purchaser may select the flavor additiveaccessory that fits their needs. In other embodiments, a flavor additiveaccessory may include a plurality of flavor delivery inserts with avariety of strengths. Therefore the user may be able to select a flavordelivery insert that matches their designed flavor strength from theflavor additive accessory. The strength of each insert within theaccessory may be indicated with text, a symbol or a distinctive colormuch the same way as suggested for distinguishing between flavordelivery inserts having unique flavor materials.

One feature of several embodiments is the ability to include the flavormaterial on demand. For example, flavor is dispersed from the flavordelivery insert on demand by breaking the carrier or by removing orotherwise exposing the carrier from a sealed segment of the packet. Thusthe user is able to add flavor when the flavor is desired. The strengthof the flavor can be increased in most embodiments by using more thanone flavor delivery insert at any one time. In each embodiment discussedabove, the flavor delivery inserts include a flavor material and acarrier. The form and flavor of the flavor material may vary. The formof the carrier may also vary. Some embodiments of the flavor materialmay be better suited for some embodiments of the carrier.

Flavor materials may be provided in liquid form, such as the mixture ofwater, extract and a humectant. Flavor materials may be provided in asemisolid form, such as a slurry. Alternatively, flavor materials may beprovided in solid form such as powders, pellets, capsules, beads,pearls, pills, flacks, yarns, filaments, glues, etc.

Carriers may be porous materials capable of accepting and being combinedwith the flavor materials. Methods of combination include, by notlimited to, absorbing the flavor material, embedding the flavormaterial, saturating the carrier with flavor material, or coating theflavor material on the carrier.

Suitable powders and methods of forming the powders are discussed inU.S. Pat. Pub. 2012/0192880 to Dube et al, the contents of which areincorporated herein in their entirety. Flavor pellets are also known inthe art that use a solid polymer base to create a pellet that willslowly release the flavor material.

Flavor materials may include tobacco extract or similar flavor beingderived from, but not itself including, dried shredded tobacco leaves.Tobacco extract or a similar extract from another Nicotiana species canbe provided as the flavor material of a flavor delivery insert tostrength an existing tobacco product.

Tobacco based flavor selected for use in the flavor delivery insert canbe derived from a variety of species, using a variety of techniques thatproduce extract in a variety of usable forms. The extract may beprovided in a liquid form absorbed within one or more of the componentsdiscussed above. The extract may be provided in a substantially solidpellet-form suspended or otherwise held by one or more of the article'scomponents. The extract may also be microencapsulated or selectivelyreleased from a breakable capsule.

The Nicotiana species used to derive the extract can be selected for thecontent of various compounds that are present therein. For example,where tobacco extracts are employed in the articles of the presentdisclosure, plants can be selected on the basis that those plantsproduce relatively high quantities of one or more of the compoundsdesired to be isolated therefrom. In certain embodiments, plants of theNicotiana species (e.g., Galpao commun tobacco) are specifically grownfor their abundance of leaf surface compounds. Tobacco plants can begrown in greenhouses, growth chambers, or outdoors in fields, or grownhydroponically.

In some other embodiments, the flavor delivery insert containsnon-tobacco based flavor materials. The flavor material may also bereferred to as a “flavor”, “flavorant”, “flavoring”, or “flavoringagent”. Each term describes any flavorful or aromatic substance capableof altering the sensory characteristics associated with the existingtobacco product and at least partially available for consumption by theuser. Exemplary sensory characteristics that can be modified by theflavor material include, taste, mouth feel, moistness, coolness/heat,and/or fragrance/aroma.

The flavor materials can be provided from sources other than tobacco,can be natural or synthetic, and the character of these flavors can bedescribed as, without limitation, fresh, sweet, herbal, confectionary,floral, fruity or spice. Such flavoring agents can be employed asconcentrates or flavor packages. Specific types of flavors include, butare not limited to, vanilla, coffee, tea, chocolate, cream, mint,spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg,cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, maple, jasmine, ginger,anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, andstrawberry. Flavorants utilized in disclosed products also can includecomponents that are considered moistening, cooling or smootheningagents, such as eucalyptus. These flavors may be provided neat (i.e.,alone) or in a composite (e.g., spearmint and menthol or orange andcinnamon). In some instances, the flavorant may be provided in aspray-dried form.

Sweeteners can be used in natural or artificial form or as a combinationof artificial and natural sweeteners. In one embodiment, syrup (e.g.corn syrup), sucralose, sucrose, or a combination thereof is the primarysweetener ingredient. When present, a representative amount ofsweetener, whether an artificial sweetener and/or natural sugar, maymake up at least about 0.2 percent, at least about 1 percent, or atleast about 5 percent, of the total dry weight of the composition.Preferably, the amount of sweetener within the composition will notexceed about 40 percent, often will not exceed about 35 percent, andfrequently will not exceed about 30 percent, of the total dry weight ofthe composition.

For other examples of flavoring materials that may be suitable for theproducts disclosed, see, for example, US Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos.2002/0162562 to Williams; 2002/0162563 to Williams; 2003/0070687 toAtchley et al.; 2004/0020503 to Williams, 2005/0178398 to Breslin etal.; 2006/0191548 to Strickland et al.; 2007/0062549 to Holton, Jr. etal.; 2007/0186941 to Holton, Jr. et al.; 2007/0186942 to Strickland etal.; 2008/0029110 to Dube et al.; 2008/0029116 to Robinson et al.;2008/0029117 to Mua et al.; 2008/0173317 to Robinson et al.; and2008/0209586 to Neilsen et al., each of which is incorporated herein byreference.

In some embodiments, the flavor materials used in the flavor deliveryinsert are provided in a microencapsulated form. The microencapsulatedform may be used for all, some, or none of the flavor materials. Use ofmicroencapsulation may help preserve the flavor material or provide forextended release of the flavor material. Generally, microencapsulatedflavor material will still rely upon a separate carrier for theformation of a flavor delivery insert.

The microencapsulated form may include a wall or barrier structuredefining an inner region or payload that contains the flavor material.Use of additives in microencapsulated form can improve storage stabilityof the flavor additive accessory, particularly the stability of thesensory profile of the accessory, and protect certain additives fromdegradation over time. Microencapsulation can also insulate the userfrom undesirable sensory characteristics associated with theencapsulated ingredient, such as certain fillers, or provide a mildersensory experience by extending the release of certain flavorants overtime. Microencapsulation of water can allow the product to be produced,stored, and transported at a lower moisture level, which can reducestorage and transportation costs and improve storage stability of theaccessory.

A representative microcapsule embodiment has an outer cover, shell, orcoating that envelopes a liquid or solid core region, and in certainembodiments, the microcapsule can have a generally spherical shape. Byencapsulating an additive within the core region of a microcapsule, theability of the additive to interact with other components of the productis reduced or eliminated, which can enhance the storage stability of theresulting flavor delivery insert. The core region, which typicallyreleases the additive when the outer shell undergoes some type ofphysical destruction, breakage, or other loss of physical integrity(e.g., through dispersion, softening, crushing, application of pressure,or the like), thereby provides for altering the sensory properties of apre-existing tobacco product. Thus, in many embodiments, the outer shellof the microcapsules is designed to rupture during use or is watersoluble under conditions of normal use.

The relative amounts of the various flavoring materials within theflavor delivery article, including the amount of the flavoring withinthe core region of the microcapsules, may vary.

Exemplary manners and methods for providing encapsulated materials, suchas microencapsulated flavoring agents, are set forth in Gutcho,Microcapsules and Microencapsulation Techniques (1976) and Gutcho,Microcapsules and Other Capsules Advances Since 1975 (1979). Exemplarytypes of microcapsules can have diameters of less than 100 microns, andoften can have outer shells that are gelatin based, cyclodextrin based,or the like. Microcapsules have been commercially available, andexemplary types of microcapsule technologies are of that type set forthin Kondo, Microcapsule Processing and Technology (1979); Iwamoto et al.,AAPS Pharm. Sci. Tech. 2002 3(3): article 25; and U.S. Pat. No.3,550,598 to McGlumphy and U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,455 to Takada et al.

A plurality of microcapsules containing flavor material may be held by acarrier, such as in a binding substrate. In one embodiment the carriermay be a selectively crushable capsule. The crushable capsule maycontain flavor material that is or is not itself microencapsulated.Breakage of the crushable capsule acts to release the contents that arecontained and sealed therein. Application of tactile pressure to thecapsule, for example by a squeezing action provided by the fingers ofthe user, causes relevant regions of the carrier to deform and hencecauses the capsule to rupture and release its payload. The rupture ofthe capsule can be discerned by an audible pop, snap, or a rapiddecrease in the resistance to the pressure applied by the user. Ruptureof the capsule causes contents of its payload to disperse, such as intoportions of a tobacco product or a package containing tobacco products.The capsules can be generally spherical in shape and possess a rigidouter shell, such as a gelatin outer shell, that surrounds an internalpayload. Suitable capsules are commercially available from Mane AromaticFlavors, located in Nice, France as gelatin encapsulated mixtures ofmedium chain triglycerides and flavor agents. The designations of anumber of flavor capsules that are available from Mane Aromatic Flavorsare: Spearmint, E209123; Cinnamon, E0303392; Russian Tea, E0303386;Lemon, E127382; and Menthol, E127384. Such representative capsules havediameters of about 3.5 mm and about 4 mm.

Use of crushable capsules may be preferred in embodiments of the presentdisclosure where the flavor delivery insert is directly combined withthe tobacco product such as seen in FIGS. 1-3. In these embodiments theflavor delivery insert can be added to the tobacco product, e.g.cigarette 102 and then manipulated to release the flavor material intothe cigarette. In some embodiments, a liquid flavor material may bemicroencapsulated and the microcapsules may be suspended within acrushable capsule.

The outer shell of the capsule is preferably constructed of a food gradegelatin derived from bovine, piscine or porcine stock. A wide variety ofgelatins may be used, and the selection of a gelatin for the capsuleouter surface is considered a matter of design choice to those ofordinary skill in the art. See, Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of ChemicalTechnology, (4th Ed.) 12, 406-416 (1994), which is incorporated hereinby reference. The type of gelatin used for constructing the outer shellof the capsule provides that capsule with the capability of beingexposed to triacetin (a common plasticizer used in cigarette filtermanufacture) or 1,2 propylene glycol (a common tobacco casing component)for relatively long periods of time without experiencing undesirableinteraction (e.g., dissolution of the gelatin therein). Because thegelatins used in the preferred embodiments may dissolve in water overextended periods of time, it is desirable to employ virtually anhydrouspayloads (or payloads possessing very low amounts of water) withcapsules having gelatin outer coatings.

The capsule payload can have a form that can vary; and typically, thepayload has the form of a liquid, a gel, or a solid (e.g., a crystallinematerial or a dry powder).

In one embodiment, the payload is a mixture of a flavor material and adiluting agent. The preferred diluting agent is a triglyceride, such asa medium chain triglyceride, and more particularly a food grade mixtureof medium chain triglycerides. See, for example, Radzuan et al., PorimBulletin, 39, 33-38 (1999). Example flavorings of the payload have beendiscussed above.

The amount of flavor material and diluting agent within the capsule mayvary. In some instances, the diluting agent may be eliminatedaltogether, and the entire payload can be composed of flavoring agent.Alternatively, the payload can be almost entirely comprised of dilutingagent, and only contain a very small amount of relatively potentflavoring agent. In one embodiment using a capsule of, for example,approximately 3.5 mm in diameter, the weight of the liquid payload(e.g., flavoring agent and diluting agent) is preferably in the range ofabout 15 mg to about 25 mg, and more preferably in the range of about 20mg to about 22 mg. The preferred composition of the mixture of flavoringand diluting agent is in the range of about 5 percent to about 25percent flavoring, and more preferably in the range of about 10 to about15 percent flavoring, by weight based on the total weight of thepayload, with the balance being diluting agent.

In some embodiments, carriers can include a filter material, such ascommonly found in cigarettes 102, that may absorb liquid flavor materialor be impregnated with solid form flavor materials directly orindirectly. For example, microcapsules may form a first carrier of aliquid flavor material that can be impregnated within the filtermaterial as a second carrier.

The filter material can vary, and can be any material of the type thatcan be employed for providing a filter for cigarettes. Preferably atraditional cigarette filter material is used, such as cellulose acetatetow, gathered cellulose acetate web, polypropylene tow, gatheredcellulose acetate web, gathered paper, or the like. Especially preferredis filamentary tow such as cellulose acetate, polyolefins such aspolypropylene, or the like. One preferred filter material that canprovide a suitable filter element is cellulose acetate tow having 3denier per filament and 40,000 total denier. As another example,cellulose acetate tow having 3 denier per filament and 35,000 totaldenier can provide a suitable filter element. As another example,cellulose acetate tow having 8 denier per filament and 40,000 totaldenier can provide a suitable filter element. For further examples, seethe types of filter materials set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,172 toNeurath; U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,745 to Cohen et al.; U.S. Pat. No.4,925,602 to Hill et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,277 to Takegawa et al. andU.S. Pat. No. 5,271,419 to Arzonico et al.

The filter material may also comprise other highly porous fibers, tows,films, pellets, threads, or non-woven materials such as, for example,rayon, polyester, or polypropylene, in addition to or instead ofcellulose acetate. Where provided, the highly porous fibers may beconfigured to collect and retain a liquid flavor material, such astobacco extract. Other types of carriers that can incorporate flavormaterial include polymer solids used in pelletized flavor materials,threads accepting flavor much like a filter, glues or even tape having aflavoring agent included.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description.Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

1. A method of incorporating a flavor material into combination with atobacco product, comprising: accessing a flavor delivery insert of aflavor additive accessory; associating the flavor delivery insert withat least one of the tobacco product and a package containing the tobaccoproduct; and actively or passively releasing the flavor material fromthe flavor delivery insert such that the flavor material is incorporatedwith the tobacco product.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the packageis a carton, and the tobacco product comprises one or more cigarettes;and associating the flavor delivery insert comprises replacing one ofthe cigarettes with the flavor delivery insert within the carton.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the package is a tin, and the tobaccoproduct comprises at least one smokeless tobacco product; andassociating the flavor delivery insert comprises inserting the flavordelivery insert into the tin.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thetobacco product is a cigarette, and associating the flavor deliveryinsert comprises inserting the flavor delivery insert into a filter ofthe cigarette.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein actively or passivelyreleasing the flavor material comprises at least one of: breaking arupturable capsule, diffusing a volatile material, applying mouthconditions, drawing air past the flavor material and adding the flavormaterial to aerosol precursor.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinaccessing the flavor delivery insert comprises removing a first flavordelivery insert from a packet, wherein the packet contains a pluralityof flavor delivery inserts.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the firstflavor delivery insert comprises a first flavor material and at leastone of the plurality of flavor delivery inserts comprises a secondflavor material, different from the first.
 8. A tobacco product,comprising: a package, the package at least partially enclosing a flavorchamber; at least one flavor delivery insert disposed within the flavorchamber, the flavor delivery insert comprising: a carrier; and a flavormaterial included with and releasable from the carrier; and at least oneconsumable tobacco article removably located within the package, whereinthe at least one flavor delivery insert is configured to selectivelyrelease the flavor material into combination with the consumable tobaccoarticle.
 9. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein the packagecomprises a carton and the consumable tobacco article comprises at leastone cigarette.
 10. The tobacco product of claim 9, wherein the flavormaterial is volatile such that the flavor material is diffused into thepackage.
 11. The tobacco product of claim 9, wherein the at least oneflavor delivery insert comprises a plurality of flavor delivery insertsand the at least one cigarette comprises a plurality of cigarettes, andthe plurality of flavor delivery inserts are individually combinablewith the plurality of cigarettes.
 12. The tobacco product of claim 11,wherein the carrier is an insert for disposal in a filter of arespective cigarette.
 13. The tobacco product of claim 8, wherein thecarrier comprises at least one of a breakable capsule, a pellet, afilament, a fiber, paper, and cellulose.
 14. The tobacco product ofclaim 8, wherein the package comprises a tin and the tobacco articlecomprises at least one smokeless tobacco product.
 15. The tobaccoproduct of claim 8, wherein the package comprises a tank, and thetobacco article comprises e-liquid.
 16. A flavor additive accessory foruse with a tobacco product, comprising: a packet; and a plurality offlavor delivery inserts, each insert comprising: a carrier; and a flavormaterial included in and releasable from the carrier; wherein eachflavor delivery insert is adapted for delivery of the flavor material toa respective tobacco product by combining the flavor delivery insertwith the tobacco product or a package containing the tobacco product.17. The flavor additive accessory according to claim 16, wherein thecarrier comprises at least one of a filter, a breakable capsule, apellet, a glue, a filament, a fiber, paper, and cellulose.
 18. Theflavor additive accessory according to claim 16, wherein the pluralityof flavor delivery inserts comprise at least two different flavormaterials selected from the group comprising tobacco extract,sweeteners, vanilla, coffee, tea, chocolate, cream, mint, spearmint,menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon,clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey, maple, jasmine, ginger, anise,sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, andstrawberry.
 19. The flavor additive accessory according to claim 16,further comprising instructions for combining one of the plurality offlavor delivery inserts with the tobacco product or the packagecontaining the tobacco product.